To ensure that administrators have efficient controls in the school system--controls designed to cut back on the number of opportunities for white collar crimes--the author provides a list of a school system's highest risk areas. (Author/IRT)

To make school salaries truly market sensitive, administrators need salary data from the private sector and cooperating school districts. In Atlanta, Georgia, the Metropolitan Regional Educational Service Agency used a local, privately completed salary survey. One inset suggests alternative private and government agency sources; another outlines…

Too many leaders depend on the organization's formal processes to recognize people who have given outstanding performance or served beyond duty's call. One superintendent honors superlative staff accomplishments (or endurance of tough circumstances) by designing personalized awards for presentation at board meetings or other public functions. (MLH)

An experienced school personnel administrator shares some advice about using a 10-minute screening interview to identify the most promising teacher candidates. Through this process, school executives can quickly eliminate candidates whose paper credentials mask unsuitability and consider greater numbers of talented, inexperienced individuals with…

Cellular phones are becoming indispensable to school employees. There are three types: mobile, transportable, and hand-held, pocket-sized phones. Conversion from analog to digital technology has improved service and gained new customers. A Texas junior high school's new minicellular system allows teachers phone access to parents and has improved…

Early retirement plans are perceived as being beneficial to school staff and financially advantageous to schools. Four out of the five assumptions on which these perceptions are based are incorrect. The one correct assumption is that early retirement will make affirmative action programs move ahead more rapidly. The incorrect assumptions are: (1)…

Describes a method, patterned after the National Football League draft, that one school district created to transfer professional and nonprofessional personnel to new and old schools within the district. (IRT)

A former police investigator advises school administrators how to respond to allegations of sexual abuse of students by school personnel. Administrators should recognize that such crimes do occur, maintain impartiality, follow strict notification protocols, and allow police and the child protection agency to investigate charges. Internal policy…

A number of factors have led to the dearth of qualified high school athletic coaches: an aging faculty, the gender equity promoted in Title IX, a shrinking pool of new teachers willing to coach, meager budgets, the explosive growth of sports such as soccer, and a hyper-competitive attitude among many students and parents. (MLF)

Using two hypothetical case studies (the arrogant athletic director and the amorous band director), this article explains how superintendents and school boards should deal with problem employee behavior. In both cases, consulting the school attorney and confronting the employee appropriately are essential first steps. (MLH)

The Supreme Court has resolved an issue involving public employees' due process rights. Before dismissing an employee, school administrators must (1) give the employee a clear list of the grounds for the decision, (2) explain the basis for each charge, and (3) give the employee a chance to respond. (MLF)

Presents a 10-question instrument to help school leaders interview and select outstanding school personnel directors. The questions and responses cover prospective candidates' basic skills and required attributes; knowledge of roles and functions; communication abilities; teacher recruitment and orientation strategies; staff motivation and…

Describes the concept of comparable worth, discusses opposing views concerning whether inequities in pay are results of discrimination, considers efforts to determine the comparability of jobs, including teaching, notes the possible impact of implementing comparable worth legislation, and cites developments in state legislation and local school…

Defines sexual harassment; cites relevant laws and regulations; and outlines school administrators' responsibility to have a written policy prohibiting sexual harassment and an established procedure to follow in the event of harassment. Provides a sample employee complaint procedure. (MLF)

After describing the concept of comparable worth and reviewing arguments for and against the idea, the author proposes seven cautions for district administrators to heed when faced with the need to respond to the comparable worth issue and suggests a seven-step plan for taking action to improve pay equity. (PGD)